Universe’s Tech Blog

As a “connected console”–that is, a gaming system that accesses the Internet for updates or other files–the Xbox 360 enjoys easy application of patches for games and the unit’s firmware. But sometimes the updates don’t go quite as planned and need to be patched themselves.

Today, Microsoft rolled out a patch for Xbox 360s that addresses several issues that arose from the previous fall update. The biggest fix added 1080p support for high-definition video output over VGA cables.

Also included, according to Microsoft’s Major Nelson, is “improved plug-and-play performance for wired headsets when being used with wireless controllers,” and more accurate recently played games lists.

Major Nelson also notes that the update is being made available all over the world, so it may not be live in some regions yet.

Microsoft Australia has formally launched Vista, Office and Exchange 2007 for business volume licence customers — the first subsidiary in the world to do so due to Australia’s time zone.

Industry analyst Gartner immediately poured cold water on the launch, saying it expected than less than 10 per cent of PCs would be running Vista by the end of next year.

Microsoft called it “the most significant product launch in company history”, but its presentation was noticeably lacking any of the glitz that surrounded the Windows 95 launch. (That will probably come later for the consumer launch in January.)

The company demonstrated a handful of features in Vista, Office and Exchange, including dial-in voice recognition for Exchange 2007 and built-in undelete (”shadow copy”) in Vista.

Microsoft also wheeled out a number of corporate early adopter customers that spoke about the vast productivity improvements they’d been able to make by buying vast amounts of Microsoft software.

Likewise, there was an IT consultant who spoke about the vast amounts of money he’d been able to make by supporting customers with vast amounts of Microsoft software. “Microsoft really looks after their partners,” he said.

The event went smoothly but was unremarkable — it was a ceremonial launch only, as nothing at all was revealed that wasn’t already publicly known.

The Australian Apple Store is holding a one day sale today only.

The initial list of special deals shows that many popular items are available at a discount:

* $66 off the price of an iPod Hi-Fi (almost 13% off)
* iPod nanos for $30 off plus free engraving
* .Mac accounts for $101.81 (27% discount).

MacBooks and iMacs are also being discounted although savings are less than 10%.

The sale (or “Shopping event” as it is described in Apple’s promotional email) is available only at the online Apple Store on December 1st from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Apple also gives fair warning that the sale prices are limited to stock on hand and while supplies last.

In November, Bungie Studios and Microsoft announced that they had a huge announcement regarding Halo 3. Most hardcore fans were let down when the news was merely the announcement of a beta program…that wouldn’t even start until spring 2007.

Today, Microsoft gave some more details on the entry process for the beta, along with some information on the 60-second ad that will air in early December.

Registration for the beta program will begin on December 4 at the Halo 3 Web site (currently the site redirects visitors to Bungie’s Web site). The beta will initially be open to North American gamers, and not everyone who applies is guaranteed a spot. Europe will run a beta program for the game separately. Bungie has not yet revealed the requirements to enter the beta.

Also on December 4, a 60-second ad for the game will air sometime between 5:50 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. PST during the Monday Night Football matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers. The ad will be a mix of computer graphics and live-action, and will air on television only once. After its TV broadcast, the ad will be made available on Xbox Live Marketplace and Xbox.com.

Halo 3 is due out in 2007 exclusively for the Xbox 360.